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Michelle Shocked — Come a Long Way
Album: Arkansas Traveler
Avg rating:
6.8

Your rating:
Total ratings: 1115









Released: 1992
Length: 4:32
Plays (last 30 days): 0
I kicked in his door at five a.m.,
"I've come for my bike" I told the repo man.
My 920's gonna take me far today,
You can travel for miles and never leave L.A.

I've come a long way,
I've come a long way,
I've gone five hundred miles today.
I've come a long way,
I've come a long way,
And never even left L.A.

I drive by the Plaza where the gay boys pose,
Stand in their windows wearing no clothes.
I heard the screams of the dying dark,
Through the sweet green icing of MacArthur Park.
And then I crossed the river into East L.A.
Pescado mojado me encontre.
And I've giving up on rock 'n roll,
And I'm saving up for norteno.
The river she runs by the railroad tracks,
I swear I'll never take it back.
A train, she cries on the midnight hour,
All along the Watts Tower.
Oh

I've come a long way,
I've come a long way,
I've gone five hundred miles today.
I've come a long way,
I've come along way,
And never even left L.A.

I gunned it down to San Pedro Bay,
Watched my ship sail in, watched her sail away.
The sun was sinking into the sea.
But a ball of fire inside of me,
Was burning my motor and driving me hard,
Past the big hair on the Boulevard.
And up Mulholland where I made the scene,
Like the one that took little Jimmy Dean.
And then I shimmied up Wilshire like a little silk worm,
Past the rodeo and the pachyderm.
And then I stopped for coffee at an art cafe,
I saw the repo man and made my getaway.
Doing the Eagle Rock,
Heading for the hills.
Oh try to let my engines cool.
And it is not my fault that this town shakes,
I saw the falling rock and I hit my brakes.

I've come a long way,
I've come a long way,
I've gone five hundred miles today.
I've come a long way,
I've come along way,
And never even left L.A.

Now you tow it to the repo man's front door,
And you give him these keys, I don't need them no more.
You tow it to the repo man's front door,
And you give him these keys, I don't need them no more.

I've come a long way,
I've come a long way,
Gone five hundred miles today.
I've come a long way,
I've come along way,
And never even left L.A.
I've come a long way,
I've come a long way,
I've gone five hundred miles today.
I've come a long way,
I've come along way,
And never even left L.A.
And never even left L.A.
And never even left L.A.
Comments (189)add comment
10
What a terrific song. Hope she's doing well somewhere out there. That someone cares for her, helping her along. That kinda thing. 
Miss Shellshock. God bless her.
 rocklandlove wrote:
Let's cut her some slack. She's obviously suffering from mental illness. Many artists are prone to this.
 

That opinion is worse than her attitude to gays. 

Grow up!
Loved this album so much when it came out.  This track reminds me why she used to deserve that love.
I'm not Gay yet.
Love this song!
Great song.  Sorry for the artist.
Let's cut her some slack. She's obviously suffering from mental illness. Many artists are prone to this.
 BillG wrote:

It took a couple of years off for bad behavior (by the artist...).

 

soooo - why is it back? Did she disown her horribly bigoted opinions? 
Maybe I'm too forgiving or naive, but whatever her transformation, this is a good song. I saw her play a free concert on the Berkeley campus around 1990 or so and her appearance was black leather, apparently lesbian, and that was how she was perceived. But, who cares about her political/sociological perspective? At some point we humans need to stop transferring our assessments of the worthiness of an individual to their output, music in this case. Sure, if Adolph Hitler released an album, I would avoid it. But we are not really at that level, are we?
Michelle Shocked? Just askin'.
Great song and amazing singer.
Good to hear this very talented artist on RP. Yes, this song does go on a bit - kind of "snatched defeat from the jaws of victory" by repeating the chorus so many times. But she has plenty of other songs worth playing - what about "Blackberry Bush"?
A very boring song, period.
HORRID!
 BillG wrote:

It took a couple of years off for bad behavior (by the artist...).

 
Well Bill it's your show but personally I don't find that a good reason for boycotting her song(s). I am glad you have put MS back in the playlist. I think it is far more effective to post footnotes like the one you did and keep the artist in rotation. Otherwise I never would have known that MS had such despicable ideas. Actually I always thought she was lesbian herself. Now she turns out to be a new born christian (and new born heterosexual as well!). That and offending people is her choice. I still like her music.
Cheshire Cat smiles  at its own shadow to shake off the syndrome.
I've been there - very true - but try leaving Texas
Awful!
 BillG wrote:

It took a couple of years off for bad behavior (by the artist...).

 
Great album, but I had no idea that MS went off against gays. Oh well...
"Former lefty favourite loses gig bookings after saying same-sex marriage will be 'downfall of civilisation'"
 
Michelle Shocked in 2005
 
 
photo says a lot, "batshit crazy" is right  (I like this song : )
 Hippostar wrote:
Where did this song go?

 
It took a couple of years off for bad behavior (by the artist...).
Always liked this song. I wonder if the poor thing is still batshit crazy?
Where did this song go?

Gladys Knight and the Pips "Midnight Train to Georgia" would be a nice fit with this tune.
 EricLee31 wrote:
I'm sure I'm not the only Yellow Room refugee here and I'm sure someone else has already said this but I can never hear this song anymore without thinking of that last night in the parking lot off Forest Lawn, everyone losing their minds that this was it, it was really over. Michelle blaring from every radio there, through open windows, all of us knowing that this was really it. I think of the farewell show @ the Troubadour a few days later and how much bittersweet fun that was... and sitting here on a quiet Saturday night, it's nice to hear this come on and turn it up loud and relive some of the glory days. Thank you  =)
 
Yes, this song always reminds me of 99.1. 
I really like this song.  It sounds familiar though.  I have never heard of this performer.  Anyone know why it sounds so familiar?  Is this a cover?  I did a quick comment scan and came up with nothing.
 Cynaera wrote:
Taking this in context... It made me happy. To discover it was Michelle Shocked was an added kudo.  Granted, it's not her usual style, but it works for me. So - to the naysayers, SHUT UP. This is probably just a quirk, and she'll return you to your regularly-scheduled Shock after the obligatory advertisements.
The playlist is full of her wonderful comments.  Miss you Ann. 


I'm sure I'm not the only Yellow Room refugee here and I'm sure someone else has already said this but I can never hear this song anymore without thinking of that last night in the parking lot off Forest Lawn, everyone losing their minds that this was it, it was really over. Michelle blaring from every radio there, through open windows, all of us knowing that this was really it. I think of the farewell show @ the Troubadour a few days later and how much bittersweet fun that was... and sitting here on a quiet Saturday night, it's nice to hear this come on and turn it up loud and relive some of the glory days. Thank you  =)
Cynaera:  Here's your hug.  Couple of months late, but sincere nonetheless.
 vicariance wrote:
that chick's voice is like a cheese grater inside my ear.
 
THAT CHICK? Okay, you've already demonstrated your Cro-Magnon mentality. And the only way I can take your cheese-grater comment is to assume that you've actually HAD a cheese-grater inside your ear. In which case, you are a very scary person.

Why couldn't you just have said, "I do NOT like Michelle Shocked's music because it's not my cup of tea"? 

Thanks ever so much. I'll have images of cheese-graters in my nightmares tonight. May they shred your brain in YOUR dreams.

Yeah, I had a bad day today. I'm in total pain, and I don't give a whooping funt about "political-correctness." (I need a hug.....)

Can't we all relate? It's a 10.
I try to be parsimonious with 10s, but considering that I not only stopped working and turned up the volume but closed my eyes to listen and image, I'm moving this up from 9 to 10.
that chick's voice is like a cheese grater inside my ear.
Yeah, just great... I have not heard this one for a long time... being an LA guy with a motorcycle, really hits home too (pun intended, I guess...)
Got me to turn it up.  The true test.
This country song didn't make me sick. {#Dancingbanana_2}
 Stranglersfan wrote:
I have not heard Michelle Shocked for a long time, it sounds great!
Beautiful album cover too.
 
I loved this album when it was released in the mid-90's, it's really a concept album and works best taken as a whole. Lost track of Ms Shocked, but this is a great track. 

That's not the original cover - you can see that here:



 GlassMan! wrote:
Blech.  too often on commercial radio.
 
What is your point? I have never heard this on commercial radio, probably because I rarely listen to it. However, since when has this been a criterion for Bleching something? Is the only good music that which has been only heard by a select few among the elect? There are plenty of folks who listen to RP who have very limited access to alternative over the air music (based on innumerable complaints). the quality of the music should be the only measure of its RP-worthiness.
 Cynaera wrote:
Taking this in context... It made me happy. To discover it was Michelle Shocked was an added kudo.  Granted, it's not her usual style, but it works for me. So - to the naysayers, SHUT UP. This is probably just a quirk, and she'll return you to your regularly-scheduled Shock after the obligatory advertisements.
 
Michelle Shocked steadfastly refuses to stick to one 'style'. It's one reason she has never had much commercial success. I still love 'Short Sharp Shocked', it is such a perfect album. But I like all her stuff, so hey.

I have not heard Michelle Shocked for a long time, it sounds great!
Beautiful album cover too.
 haresfur wrote:
I think this song is best in the context of the whole album's concept.
 

Excellent point.
Love this song....great toe tapper....

Thanks Bill and Rebecca  
I'd like this in my Wednesday night burger cafe by the chanteuse of the of the day, here not so much.
I think this song is best in the context of the whole album's concept.
Taking this in context... It made me happy. To discover it was Michelle Shocked was an added kudo.  Granted, it's not her usual style, but it works for me. So - to the naysayers, SHUT UP. This is probably just a quirk, and she'll return you to your regularly-scheduled Shock after the obligatory advertisements.
I'm shocked - this is bad.

No, it's a 900 CC Harley Davidson Sportster.  At one-time considered Harley's "Ladies Bike".
 
ColinZeal wrote:
Its a Yamaha... feel any differently about the song now?
 


Nice photo and typography.
Blech!
I love this song — you can't play it too much for me.
San Pedro Harbor——my town.
This song sweeps me up in a sentimental wave.  I read all the comments about the bad voice and the bad dymanics, and I get it.  But it's perfect despite its technical problems.  It's a feeling, if you don't feel it, you're not going to get it. 
 jagdriver wrote:
Gag me!
 
           {#Taped-shut}  OK !?

don't like the voice in this one at all
Blech.  too often on commercial radio.
billynyc wrote:
like nails on a chalkboard. love her energy but she's tone deaf.

Sure: despite her tone-deafness, she's managed to become a professional musician ... sure!
like nails on a chalkboard. love her energy but she's tone deaf.
Great song; the music, the lyrics, the singer.....Love it.

jagdriver wrote:
Gag me!

OK.

Quit squirming.


 rconlon wrote:
How about some original songs. All her songs were recorded previously by someone else. That Anchoring in Anchorage she did was done by Aztec-Two step way back.
 
Her website indicates 'Anchorage' was copywritten in 1988. By Michelle Shocked.

MOST of her songs are originals. If you go to her website it has detailed information about every song. On 'Short Sharp Shocked', only 'L&N' is not her original.

Just saying.

c.

 rconlon wrote:
How about some original songs. All her songs were recorded previously by someone else. That Anchoring in Anchorage she did was done by Aztec-Two step way back.
 

You're kidding, right?
I have always loved this song. Brings back a bunch of memories from the mid-90's in San Luis Obispo, CA. KOTR lives on, even if only in our minds. {#Cheers}
How about some original songs. All her songs were recorded previously by someone else. That Anchoring in Anchorage she did was done by Aztec-Two step way back.
love the voice, and the tune

Even though she has said some BS things of late, this song still takes me back to my bedroom at my parents home and thus brings back harmoniuos memories.


A friend and I recently exchanged messages about how much Michelle's songs had meant to us at times in our lives.  I love this one, about journeys cultural, geographic, and personal.  Sometimes we can indeed travel far without leaving town.
Great song from one of her better albums.
Gag me!
I've always like her music (maybe not her views) and i wonder what happened to her? Heard her record company and she had a parting of the ways and she left the business. Anyone up to date on her career?
RobK wrote:
As another listener commented on another Michelle Shocked song, it shows what class Bill has that he has not dumped her from the rotation because of her views. I agree with that.
I agree.
If only the repo man had taken away her tape recorder.
yclept wrote:
I really wish Bill would quit playing this artist....she came out so strongly PRO sound exchange and RIAA. She is helping to kill RP.
So did Margo Timmins. Yet now it seems we're inundated with Cowboy Junkies. However, I still have love for Ms Shocked. Timmins? Not so much.
This woman is giving me a headache. No dynamics..
I have always liked her. This song ended up being the one we would play on the way home after every hiking trip. Love it. Check out some of her dub stuff, pretty cool.
RobK wrote:
It was a motorcycle.
RobK wrote:
squidish wrote: Miss Shellshocked. One of the best punk names of all time.
Nice try but I think you're making that up. It's not like Perry Farrel (periferal), it's just her name.
check the wiki link
RobK wrote:
As another listener commented on another Michelle Shocked song, it shows what class Bill has that he has not dumped her from the rotation because of her views. I agree with that.
But that doesn't mean that we should all continue to give her money by buying her CDs. I certainly never will.
yclept wrote:
I really wish Bill would quit playing this artist....she came out so strongly PRO sound exchange and RIAA. She is helping to kill RP.
As another listener commented on another Michelle Shocked song, it shows what class Bill has that he has not dumped her from the rotation because of her views. I agree with that.
I really wish Bill would quit playing this artist....she came out so strongly PRO sound exchange and RIAA. She is helping to kill RP.
rtkmusic wrote:
I think the lyric infers that she is riding a bike, which would realistically get her closer to her 500 miles per day even in LA traffic.
It was a motorcycle. squidish wrote:
Miss Shellshocked. One of the best punk names of all time.
Nice try but I think you're making that up. It's not like Perry Farrel (periferal), it's just her name.
One of my favs....
charlton13 wrote:
Memories wrapped in music. My buddy Chris and I were driving home from Jackson, Wyoming. We must have listened to this album 10 times (driving from WY to NJ snow storm of Jan '93). I hear this song and know that we were lucky to avoid a car accident on some rural route in Wyoming. I miss that moment. I'm glad that I had it. I'm glad that I shared it with my friend because I know that it really existed, for that moment, right? Ciao Amigos!
Similar moment with 5 friends in a rented van, making a 26 hr drive from Charlotte, NC to Ely, Minnesota (Boundary Waters), circa 1992. I'd brought a few mix tapes (as did everyone), and we were just barely in Minnesota when this song finally made its appearance. It was totally fitting, hearing a van load of road weary guys all singing the chorus with the windows down. It wasn't 500 miles, but more around 1000 miles we'd driven at that point. I'll never forget it.
For me, this will always be *the* LA song.
Some artists just lodge in your heart and stay there. I will always love her even if I don't love everything she does. She is one kickass chick.
Memories wrapped in music. My buddy Chris and I were driving home from Jackson, Wyoming. We must have listened to this album 10 times (driving from WY to NJ snow storm of Jan '93). I hear this song and know that we were lucky to avoid a car accident on some rural route in Wyoming. I miss that moment. I'm glad that I had it. I'm glad that I shared it with my friend because I know that it really existed, for that moment, right? Ciao Amigos!
rah wrote:
her itinerary is ridiculous (and in the reality of LA traffic would take about a week)...
I think the lyric infers that she is riding a bike, which would realistically get her closer to her 500 miles per day even in LA traffic.
Hannio wrote:
Meh. Kinda boring, really. If not somewhat irritating.
. . . agreed - and I like MS, esp. Short Sharp Shocked; but this is . . . well, lets just say its not a song of hers that I would recommend to someone as an intro to MS.
I have never felt that I like MS that much, but am amazed that this CD makes it in my car when I have a long road trip. When I get to it, I always ask myself why I never listen to it otherwise. It really is very solid
Art_Carnage wrote:
A really good song off a so-so album. Michelle will never get the big following she deserves, because she's continually re-inventing herself.
I see that in a later comment you said the song is growing on you and you were considering giving the album another listen. I hope you did and heard that it isn't so-so in any way, quite the contrary. This album is one for the ages, a real ambitious project and full of outstanding songs. It was a theme album, in a way. I only know the story as I infer it from the jacket, but Michelle basically traveled the world to record the album doing each song in a different place with different musicians and producers, some of them very renowned. That alone speaks volumes as to what other musicians think of her. She has always been somewhat underappreciated, true, but not terribly so. Michelle has a very dedicated following and has toured all over, always to great acclaim. I'm a huge fan as you can tell. This album is a 10, you should all get a copy.
stratrjb wrote:
Wow what a great song, never heard it before, but I have it now! Very passionate, love how the instruments build along with the vocals/words. Any recommendations to her other stuff?
Her first album is still her best. She's all over the map musically and that first album captures that sense of diverse styles but with a rootsiness she later abandoned. In subsequent albums she gets outside her comfort zone with mixed results.
Have followed her since TCT and is always a good mood setter and story teller.
I *thought* I liked Michelle Shocked... until I heard this insanely repetitive 'song'.
reminds steve, dike requires a y, dot.
I like the song alot and I think Michelle is hot!!!! So there!!!
this song brings back so many memories for me. i love it. brilliant in concert.
Miss Shellshocked. One of the best punk names of all time.
One of my most favourite Michelle Shocked songs! :)
Meh. Kinda boring, really. If not somewhat irritating.
re: L.A.'s Finest Rock and where are they now? should it interest any of the KSCA fans, Nicole adopted a girl from Kazakhstan and moved back to Miami.
tomnam wrote:
This will always remind of KSCA's sign off...anybody else?
*raising hand* That's exactly what I came here to say when RP played it just now... I was in the parking lot of the station at that moment. WHAT a moment. As was the going-away party @ the Troub a few days later... her majesty's a pretty nice girl, but she doesn't have a lot to say
tomnam wrote:
This will always remind of KSCA's sign off...anybody else?
The last hours of KSCA are mentioned on some of the other pages of the board on this song. This was the last full-length song played. She did an in-studio appearance on KSCA and performed this song which appeared on the Live from the Music Hall Volume 2 CD. (I uploaded to the LRC and it was rejected.) I just relistened to all of the Music Hall CDs over the weekend and they are great if you can get ahold of them but there was only a pressing of 10,000 copies of each CD. If you really want them can't find them, drop me a line at my username at yahoo.com and we'll see what we can work out :)
This will always remind of KSCA's sign off...anybody else?
Art_Carnage wrote:
A really good song off a so-so album. Michelle will never get the big following she deserves, because she's continually re-inventing herself.
When I saw in concert about 2-3 years ago, she kept talking about god. Turned me off a bit.
I saw her in what must have been the same tour, again at the Fabulous Commodore. At the time I hadn't a clue about Billy Bragg but couldn't wait to hear her. I was playing Short Sharp Shocked to death at the time. I think I may have whooped a little too loudly in front of the stage at one point...I remember she looked at me nervously, like I might be a dangerous local (sorry Michelle). Ever since Billy's Mermaid Avenue CD with Wilco I wish I'd listened a little more closely to his set.
When I worked for the CBC (Canadian Broadcasting Corporation, a type of PBS, but a Crown corporation of the federal government) on a current affairs radio show in Montreal in the late 80s, someone gave me a copy of The Texas Campfire Tapes, which was recordings made by someone on a Walkman of Michelle Shocked playing at her campsite next to a rural folk festival. Then, a few days later, I saw that she was coming to Montreal to play with headliner Billy Bragg. I called her publicist and had M.S. come in for an interview. She was worldy in ways but seemed innocent of the business/media world. She invited me to see her backstage at her concert that night. After the show, Bragg's green room was full of people; Michelle's was empty but for me. I gave her a black bandanna with many clours on it. She said, ''Black! My favourite colour!''
This song drives me nuts. Aaagghh!
Wow what a great song, never heard it before, but I have it now! Very passionate, love how the instruments build along with the vocals/words. Any recommendations to her other stuff?
Nice variety today. Keep it coming.
mxdcec wrote:
What a great song about an artist who outsmarts and out manuevers a repo man coming for her Harley Davidson. Finally, she surrenders the keys on her own terms. Ending the war, and winning the battle. mxdcec@emirates.net.ae
Its a Yamaha... feel any differently about the song now?
I never, never tire of this song.
I absolutely love this song. There's no rational reason why...but who cares?
Wow - blast from the past. It's been years since I heard this. It's very strongly related to a very specific time, place and person too. Music is good that way...!
It's a while since I have heard Michelle Shocked - thanks for playing this!
A great Album.
I couldn't agree more. kerr wrote:
God but this is good
Roverfish wrote:
Wow, sure happy to have you around to chew our food for us. Should we call you Mama Bird? Could you read us some kids books before bed? No need for your own input, of course, just simple regurgitation will suffice.
Not my favorite song either, but cut the guy some slack, not all of us know english as a first language and I'm sure you can understand the delight in interpreting something in a different language. No matter what it says.